Josh Schuster, the $800k player for Manly, may still be a few weeks away from playing in the first grade in 2024, according to coach Anthony Seibold.
With his recovery from a calf injury, Schuster has participated in two NSW Cup reserve grade games for the Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles this season.
In the weeks leading up to the 2024 campaign, Schuster also suffered from a finger injury and a case of chickenpox.
The gifted 22-year-old committed to the team for $800,000 a season until the end of 2027 when he signed a massive deal last year.
Still, it’s been an expensive choice that hasn’t yet paid off for Manly.
Schuster moved to the back row after Manly signed Luke Brooks because he was just too unreliable at five-eighth previous season.
To make matters worse, Ben Trbojevic has started the season well in Schuster’s place.
Prior to yesterday’s shocking defeat by the Dragons, Seibold stated that Schuster would be out for at least two weeks, and the team wanted to give him every opportunity to make a perfect comeback to the NRL.
“I’d rather give Schuie (Schuster) his next opportunity two or three weeks too late, than two or three weeks too early because I don’t want that yoyo effect,” Seibold said Saturday.
“Once he’s up, he needs to be ready to stay up.
“He has progressed really well, last week he was outstanding in reserve grade. We need to see that not just for one week but all the time.“
Schuster scored a try for Blacktown Workers last week before running for 47 metres and two tackle busts against the Dragons’ NSW Cup side on Saturday.
Simply put, paying $800,000 for a reserve grader is far to costly for any NRL side, so Schuster is facing a make-or-break season in 2024.
If his usual habits remain, it’ll make it tough for the Sea Eagles to justify paying him the massive amount he’s on.
